How does social media, technology, sexting and porn effect relationships for today's teens? I talked with high school freshman and sophomores recently about social media, mental health, and relationships. Here are 10 things teens expressed about relationships and technology: Technology makes teens lazy in relationships. These are their words. Kids don't get together as … [Read more...]
My Son’s First Girlfriend
My husband and I went on a double date with my son and his soon-to-be first girlfriend (it was their first date). I didn't think about the magnitude of that until a day or so afterward, i.e., who actually wants to go on their first real date with parents? (They had been "hanging out" at school and school events for quite some time.) It was Saturday and my son, who had … [Read more...]
Looking for Answers on Keeping Track of Your Kids Online?
Keeping tabs on your kid's online activities is not an easy task so when our Editor-in-Chief, Kristen Daukas, was asked her advice, she was more than happy to help! What have been some of the biggest parenting headaches you’ve faced related to your children and technology? Like most parents, it’s staying on top of all the different apps and sites that come out daily. Add … [Read more...]
Moving to College: 6 Tips to Manage Travel and Shipping Logistics
Is your college a distance from home? You’ll need to do some planning to get your gear safely from home to school. Check out these tips from experienced college teens and their parents. Reserve your hotel rooms ASAP. If you’ve chosen a college away from home, book your hotel as soon as you have the dates for move in—lodging near campus is sure to fill up quickly. Check … [Read more...]
How Sports Participation Helps Teenagers Be Successful
“Take that, old man,” my son said to me after a smashing hit during our recent tennis match. Through my chuckling, I thought, “All right. Game one, young man, game on.” Thankfully, his comment was good-natured ribbing, but it still made me wonder if playing sports was making him more aggressive and less respectful. At the same time, though, I had visions of him winning … [Read more...]
Does Trustworthy Equal Boring?? Better Ask a Teen!
“I don’t want to go with him,” my 17-year-old daughter said. “Then tell him ‘no’.” I told her. “Then he’ll think I don’t want to go,” she said. “But you don’t want to go.” “But I don’t want him to know that I don’t want to go.” “Then go.” “No. I don’t want to.” “Then tell him.” “You tell him I can’t go.” “I don’t care if you go. “But he doesn’t … [Read more...]
Why One Size Parenting Does Not Fit All
My youngest son, who is 14, was recently having a problem at school and while racking my brain trying to search my memory banks for what would have worked to resolve the issue for his older brothers, I realized that the answer wouldn’t really matter because each one of my boys is so different. I have found that one of the most difficult and frustrating things about being a … [Read more...]
4 Tweaks to Help You Enjoy (Yes, Enjoy!) Your Teenage Daughter
Close your eyes and picture that sweet, little bundle of a girl you had twelve, thirteen, fifteen years ago—that tiny little thing you used to hold, oh, so close and hug and kiss a million times a day and she—not only let you—she soaked it up. When Mommy was a compliment, not an accusation. When you, and not a rectangular piece of metal, were first to learn her secrets and won … [Read more...]
31 Steps Along The Road To Connect To Your Teen
Think Connecting With Your Teen is Impossible? You worry you're losing the battle between finding time for your relationship with your teen and the digital world they live in and you're struggling to reconnect. You're not alone. 1. Here’s the thing.You were totally shocked by the release of version two of your life: The Challenge of Raising Generation Z Baby. It brought … [Read more...]
Staying Connected To Your College Kid — What To Expect
Knowing what to expect in terms of communicating with your child after he or she goes to college may help you avoid some issues and angst later. My friends with daughters tend to hear from their girls more than my friends with sons do, however I realize that this is a broad generalization and each child and situation is different. My oldest son was really bad about keeping … [Read more...]
The Continuous Conundrum Called Parenting
One seemingly unsolvable parental conundrum is that although we know our teenager’s successes and failures are their own to celebrate and struggle through, we still end up feeling elated by the former and devastated by the latter. This riddle of humanity is as complex as multi-variable calculus. Parenting is not only fulfilling and gratifying, but is also a painful carbuncle … [Read more...]
Prevent Cyberbullying: Control Your Child’s Social Media Habits
Relatively speaking, cyberbullying is a new phenomenon. Bullying, however, has been around since the beginning of time. It refers to the tendency some people have to intimidate, harass, stalk, control and sometimes harm other individuals, using a number of methods and tools. Because of the added convenience of anonymity, the Internet is ideally suited … [Read more...]
How to Know When a Teen Lives in a House
Having 3 girls in the teen/tween age range, I've given up hope on EVER having what I consider an "adult" house. I walk into some houses and am in awe that their stuff matches. And they have chatchka. And there's no dust. Or empty soda cans. Remember the days when Fisher Price decorated your house and your living room looked like Geoffrey the Giraffe puked all over it? Those … [Read more...]
Why Vacationing With Older Kids Is Great
While on vacation with my family recently I saw a lot of parents with young kids by the pool, juggling Sippy cups and strollers and managing meltdowns and toddlers on the run. As cute as many of the kids were, and as much as I wouldn’t mind not needing reading glasses or frequent hair coloring to cover the grey, I couldn’t help thinking how grateful I am to not be one of those … [Read more...]
Dear Son – It Was Never About Today
When Anger is Masked as Fear I yelled. And once I started I couldn’t stop. My voice ricocheted like bullets all over the room. I had tripped the safety and that trigger was hot. Normally so measured and careful with my words, it was liberating to just let the fur fly. Lost in my heated release, I never focused on your face. My anger blurred the edges, obscuring the hurt … [Read more...]
5 Things Teens Wish Their Parents Knew
What Does Your Teen Wish You Knew? Working with teens for 20 years, I asked them a simple question, “What do you wish your parents knew more of to improve your life?” Here’s their answers. #1 They Love you. Even though teens rarely say it, they love you and they really care what you think of them. Unfortunately, when love doesn’t find its way to your teen, they’re willing to … [Read more...]
Teen Suicide: We All Bleed Red….
Suicide entered my life kind of the way spring enters with the change of seasons, in like a lion out like a lamb. Its grip caught hold of someone I loved and used all its power and might to try and take them from me. I did not let it win, I risked everything I am and everything I had to keep my child from utter destruction. The pain and suffering of the inner workings … [Read more...]
If My Kids Ever Appeared on Shark Tank
Teens Are Master Negotiators My kids’ current favorite show is “Shark Tank,” where budding entrepreneurs pitch ideas to a team of corporate tycoons who double as potential investors. While listening to concepts for, among other things, collapsible kayaks and colored fur spray for dogs, my daughters vigorously interrogate the television. “What are your yearly sales?” they … [Read more...]
A 13-year-old Walks Into a Times Square Souvenir Shop…
Shopping in Times Square with a Teen “Greetings young lady. Welcome to my fine establishment directly in the middle of the world’s greatest city. I realize it looks identical to more than 30 other shops you have undoubtedly passed today but my shop is so much different. For you see, I truly have the best prices in all of New York, a fact that I will repeat as I follow you … [Read more...]
5 Tips for Parents on Valentine’s Day
Valentine's Day with Teens in Love When I was in high school, cheerleaders sold flowers on Valentine’s Day for one dollar with notes attached to them from the sender. As a cheerleader, I’d deliver them to unsuspecting girls or guys during the last hour of school. There were squeals of joy from girls beaming that someone bought them a long-stemmed white or red carnation. As a … [Read more...]
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